ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITIES

Orcas Island provides one of the most desirable locations in the world in terms of natural beauty, cultural and outdoor activities, and friendly communities. We appreciate the abundance of natural beauty; the marine settings that offer unique opportunities for boating, fishing and daydreaming; and the lively cultural and social communities.

And there are still no traffic lights on Orcas Island! The gas station owner won the Winter Sailing Classic; the woodworking teacher surfs off the Pacific coast of Vancouver Island; and a single mom won the six million dollar state lottery. What unrealized dreams will come to life for you when you move here?

From east to west the main communities are:

DOE BAY

Located on the eastern "saddlebag" of Orcas Island, Doe Bay is home to a resort with rustic cabins and outdoor hotsprings. A Fire Hall functions as community center for this Island outpost.

OLGA

Olga Post Office
Post Office at Olga

A quaint hamlet with a historic Post Office and naturally breath-taking dock, Olga also offers a café and general store, and the fabulous Artworks cooperative store of arts and crafts, varying from knitted goods, to hand-crafted furniture, jewelry, lotions, cards, hats, and paintings.

ROSARIO RESORT

Dominates the point of Cascade Bay. Its beautiful lands expand out from a fascinating 1906 mansion that sets a stately tone at this renowned resort, now owned by Olympus Real Estate and managed by Rock Resorts. Lovely residential areas, the Highlands and the Palisades, are near the resort. Moran State Park, with camping, fishing, hiking, and equestrian trails, is just east of the resort.

EASTSOUND

Award-Winning
Orcas Island Library

Orcas Livingroom

The Living Room

Funhouse

The Fun House

Orcas Island Senior Center

Orcas Skatepark

Orcas Island Skatepark

The village of Eastsound sits at the center of the Island, connecting Orcas Island's east and west "saddlebags." Named for the long arm of water which reaches deep into the heart of the island, Eastsound is at once a business and social center and a country crossroads, boasting a modern and involved award-winning public library and a modern supermarket together with buildings preserved from the earliest settlements. This picturesque seaside village contains art galleries, banks, fashion boutiques, hardware and sporting goods stores, bookstores and fine prints shops.

On the northern edge of Eastsound village is the intimate community gathering place and performing arts salon, The Living Room, and across the street are the elementary, junior and senior high schools.

Just beyond these buildings is the unique FunHouse, where for a minimal yearly charge, Orcas Island residents of all ages can engage in all kinds of recreation, except for on weekend nights, when the FunHouse is open only to Orcas Island teenagers (and chaperones).

The island's brand-new-in-2002 Senior Center and Fire Hall are on Mt. Baker road just north of town, as well as the island's public airstrip.

Heading east on Mt. Baker Road, the Orcas Center for the Performing Arts brings community and professional productions to island audiences, including the world-class Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival, held late each summer.

On July 4, 2002, the Orcas Island Skatepark opened at Buck Park, just past the Medical Center on Mt. Baker Road.

WESTSOUND

Westsound Marina

A favorite moorage for boaters, West Sound's protected waters boast two docks, the Yacht Club dock and the public dock. The Westsound Community Hall has recently been lifted up and put on a new foundation. It is used for meetings, weddings, and a monthly community potluck. A great deli and bed & breakfast are located here, and float planes land and take-off daily.

ORCAS LANDING

Orcas Landing

This small hamlet rising from the ferry dock provides the first glimpse of Orcas Island for most visitors. You'll be greeted by the small community, the historic Orcas Hotel, a small general store, several shops, car and bike rentals and a Post Office. And when you leave the island, once you are in line for your departing ferry, relax on the front porch of the Orcas Hotel, sipping a latte and watching the marine activity and San Juan Island views.

DEER HARBOR

Deer Harbor leads to several lovely residential areas, Spring Point and Cayou Valley among them. Deer Harbor was originally inhabited by peaceful Lummi Indians, and began to be settled by European-Americans in the 1880's, establishing a school and post office, orchards, farms, fishing and lumber industries.

Deer Harbor looks out onto the Wasp Island group and the Olympic Mountains in the distance. Situated on the western 'saddlebag' of Orcas Island, Deer Harbor now is the site of boat marinas and a fuel dock; inns and vacation rentals, historic Post Office, sailing camp, and shops.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you find your new home or land on Orcas Island!